News

Perry Kingsbeer - Always Remembered

It is with deep sadness that HMI inform the Hockey community of the death of one of it’s great stalwarts in Perry Kingsbeer. Perry passed away early Sunday morning with his family gathered around him.

Anyone who has come up the ranks in the last 30 or so years will know Perry as the man behind the lolly scramble at the conclusion of junior Hockey each year. What they may not realise is the huge amount of work he put in over the years – down there on the grass in all sorts of conditions ensuring our Junior Hockey maintained its standards and growth.

He was honoured with a Life membership in 2009 and was the first winner of the service awards that began in 2004. He won the award again in 2009. This year saw him finally begin to hand over the reins of Junior Hockey but that didn’t stop him always being available to help out around the turf, fixing goals, fences, lights – you name it. He was a real handyman this past decade.

Perry also served on the board for many years as the Junior Hockey representative. He also gave freely of his time when two CEO’s departed HMI’s ranks. He was a wonderful help with his business skills being able to guide the staff that remained until new appointments were made.

Only those that spend a lot of time at the turf can appreciate the amount of effort this rugby player devoted to a foreign sport that his children decided to play.

Our hearts go out to Pauline and his mini hockey team of Cherie, Amber, Lisa and Brent - and his grandchildren that are following in their footsteps.

A service to celebrate Perry's life will be held in the Terracehaven Chapel, 697 Main Street, Palmerston North on Wednesday 29th November 2017, at 11am.